"Treat others as you wish to be treated. Lead by example. Speak words you wouldn't mind hearing… Above all, be kind". Tracy Solomon

Simply asking that question will not resolve anything but facing and making adequate and lasting changes can lead to actually saving lives.

Most recently, the focus from the media, political leaders, gun rights activists and many others have not been focused on long-term needs or solutions but rather on short-term story lines, misleading voters and pushing policies as well as allowing misunderstandings which have led to surges in firearm sales.

The story of the century would be a day without a death from gun violence or even more so, violent crime.
Sound impossible? We are driven to think that way.

“These neighborhoods are our neighborhoods and these children are our children.” President Obama in statement made following the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre killing 20 children and 6 adults in the school.

Where do Americans stand on gun laws? Gun control?

In a pew poll taken after the assassination attempt on Congresswomen Gabriella “Gabby” Giffords, the country was divided. 49% said it was “more important to protect the rights of Americans to own guns” and 46% said it was “more important to control gun ownership.”

After the shooting in the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, 76% said, “There should be some restriction on owning guns,” according to a CNN/ORC poll.

At present time, roughly half of American states allow gun owners to carry their weapon openly into public places.

Also, making more news recently is the “Stand Your Ground” law. This law really came into the public eye during the Trayvon Martin case in Florida.

Florida, as well as others in this list do not have a “duty to retreat” clause which means if you can get away without harm or deadly force but shoot anyway, you can be prosecuted. Most of the states with the “Stand Your Ground” law do not have the “duty to retreat” clause. Many of these laws are written in a vague way leaving the law to be used as a “blanket way out” for many shootings.

These laws were often introduced as a way to help “victims” in cases such as domestic violence where victims often felt blocked and unable to flee or ended up shooting their attackers (which happened to be their domestic partner) and found it near impossible to defend themselves in court. When was it okay to kill someone under your own roof?

But, the law has left it open for arguments leading escalating, turning into assaults and then murder to be defended under the “Stand Your Ground” law. What would have been different if a person hadn’t had a firearm on them? What if they didn’t feel it was okay to cry “self-defense” in what would typically end up in an assault and battery case but instead, someone is dead. Has the law been a positive or a negative?Who has it actually helped more?

NRA does not run the US government and does not make the choices for what is good for America. That is done through the voters. We vote who we want at both the state level and the national level. Are we listening to what these politicians are standing for and against? Who is supporting them and funding their campaigns? What are their intentions?

Ask yourself why the NRA has had nothing to say since this most recent massacre? Statements have come out from all over the world. World leaders are offering condolences. Many actors and actresses are coming forward and saying things should be done with violence in movies and TV may need to be looked at. Networks rearranged TV schedules following the massacre due to programming that may have been viewed as showing things in bad taste.

Using the words “gun control” is beginning to sound UN-American. I think doing nothing as we are seeing more massacres, people crying in disbelief as their loved ones are being identified, going through autopsies and realizing their last conversation was their LAST conversation… that is UN-American.

Personally, I can’t participate in ignoring an issue that is continuously being swept under the rug by groups that argue for their freedoms while others are losing their loved ones, their lives and their future or their sense of security. What about their freedom, our freedom?

Weapons used for hunting and sporting do not call for assault weapons or weapons with large magazines that can gun down numerous people (or animals) in just seconds or minutes.

Many assault weapons are not for either of these uses and are only used to promote keeping an argument going instead of coming to an agreement.

Responsible and legitimate gun owners, politicians and people across America need to give pause to this, put politics aside and be able to really look at this very serious issue, discuss it (peacefully) and deal with it.

Yes, there should be limits, laws, background checks and training required. Yes, there should be renewed proof of this at the time of license renewals for each weapon. A responsible gun owner would understand the need for this because they would only want other responsible and trained, regularly licensed gun owners having other weapons as well.

A major argument is that responsible gun owners and legally purchased guns are not the problem.

My first response is I find it amazing that each “responsible gun owner” can speak for all the other “responsible gun owners” as though they meet all the time and know each other very well.

My second response is that is not true. Legally purchased guns end up in the wrong hands more often than these “responsible gun owners” must realize. The ability to purchase guns is far too easy in far too many places. There needs to be universal laws when it comes to background checks, waiting periods, guns and ammo purchases and an assault weapon ban.

My third response is this. ”Responsible gun owners” do not come with a magic chip in them saying they are responsible, will keep their weapons locked up properly, only use their weapon in the absolute necessity that it is needed and will be in 100% tip top emotional and mental condition for the rest of their life. They also don’t have the promise no one in their family won’t get to their weapons or someone breaking into their home won’t be able to do the same. There are no guarantees.

The NRA makes it seem as though guns are the answer to protection and the government and its laws are trying to take that away from people.

For those trying to hide behind the 2nd amendment, they aren’t the ones who control this discussion. The idea however of more guns being the answer has proven to be wrong, dead wrong.

True. It isn’t just a weapon that ends a life. It is a person who believes they have a justified reason to do so.

As humans we react many times out of emotion. In many of these cases, there are feelings of anger, hate, revenge, defeat, entrapment and many times nobody knows what set a person off to commit such violent crimes.

The right thing to do, if a person is thinking rationally is to walk away, take some time to think things over, seek some advice or maybe get more details. A lot of times people are going through situations where counseling is needed and has been needed but either they didn’t know it, didn’t seek it or it wasn’t available.

Too often, a gun is too easily available to pick up, steal or purchase.

Not everyone committing these horrible murders/suicides, massacres and violent crimes were “monsters” before these acts. Many times, no one noticed any signs of behavior change, isolation, depression or signs of mental illness. Other times, it was noticed but they were unable to get help or convince the person to get help.

Does that mean people with emotional or mental illnesses are “monsters”? No. It means people with problems need to be able to seek help, get the proper diagnosis, counseling, medications and not be labeled with a stigma as being “crazy”.

If a person in need of help seeks help and receives help, this is definitely not “crazy”. That is the right thing to do and it should definitely be available to anyone in need of these services.

Many people with emotional and mental illnesses can live fulfilling lives alongside everyone else if they are able to get the medical and emotional help necessary. This important issue in our society cannot continue to be ignored. This is a huge gap in our healthcare system leading to economic and many other life issues. It is easier for Americans to access guns than mental health care. Without truly dealing with this, we can’t move forward on dealing with these murder/suicides, massacres and violent crimes.

There are two sides to be focused on immediately without involving political favors, campaigning, lobbyist and self-promotions.

1) Too many weapons without just purpose or place in our society (other than within our military)

2) Not enough available care and treatments for those with emotional and mental needs and disabilities.

For those who can’t clearly see these needs, they aren’t focusing on the real problems. They are standing in the way of what needs to lead to a drastic change.

We can’t just cover the cracks or kick the can down the road.

Our biggest war is going on here at home and our children and loved ones are the victims.

What is the difference between these recent massacres and 9/11? We are part of the blame. We vote. We have voices and if the issue isn’t being addressed, keep pursuing the issues.

These victims didn’t have a choice and now their voices have been silenced.

Throughout the world, lives are lost each day due to diseases, wars, drugs, mental and eating disorders, famine, violent crimes and so much more. What makes today different is not only is this happening just after the other recent tragedies in a mall, a theater, hair salon, etc but these were children, teachers a principal and those there to help our children.

They lived in one of the top 10 places to live in America. School should be a safe zone. No hate, violence, bullying or fear of dying due to any senseless act of crime. Mental disorders or not. That is not a reason or excuse for violence.

People live with mental disorders everyday without causing harm. People have guns responsibly. The fact is, not everyone is held accountable. Not everyone is responsible with a gun or keeps it away from the wrong hands.

Not everyone has proper medical diagnosis, care and/or treatment for their mental illness. The discussions and resolutions can’t be avoided. Prayers shouldn’t have to continuously go out for lives lost and communities affected by tragedy.

Prayers and attention need to focus on one thing, SAVING LIVES.

Put the politics aside.

People deserve to live and people deserve proper medical attention.

Side note:

I wanted to post this now but I was working on an article following the recent shooting in Clackamas…then this happened, the shooting at an elementary school. I will follow this up with a further article.

Please share your thoughts on this matter. Worldwide, people have been affected in different ways.

Why? Voting is their right. People know their vote matters and nothing or nobody will detour them from their vote being counted, at some point… hopefully.

Every election the message gets pushed about the importance of registering to vote, getting out to vote, having your voice heard, etc. But, more and more, it is becoming a divided message.

Plain and simple, who you’re voting for, possibly could determine how much your vote may be sought after or “blocked”.

Laws to protect voters from simply being turned away at the polls on Election Day, based on who you are voting for, but the GOP is working tirelessly on passing new laws to put strains on selected groups depending on different demographics.

As much as one may think law and order is here to protect our nation, preserve our rights and honor our freedoms, that is something that is not only questioned but questionable.

Watch this clip from HBO’s “The Newsroom” to see their look at a very real issue that is only growing worse with each election cycle and is an enormous part of why “Washington” seems to be so bogged down and unable to get anything substantial moved through in a reasonable (if any) amount of time.

“THE NEWSROOM”

Do you think they have some valid points in the segment? What?

First, the voting fraud issue. The New York Times identified out of 120 voter fraud cases filed by the Department of Justice in five years, only 86 resulted in convictions. In the 2008 elections, between 126.5 million and 128.5 million Americans cast ballots, according to a report by the electorate study center. Compare the numbers.

Rick Hasen, UCI Professor of Law and Expert on Election Law said, “When you do see election fraud, it invariably involves election officials taking steps to change election results or it involves absentee ballots which voter ID laws can’t prevent.”

Does that mean there are absolutely no instances of voter fraud that could be caught by enacting voter ID laws? No, that isn’t what I am saying. I don’t think anyone would make that point because it would just be inaccurate. So, why all the hype?

Well, let’s look at the big picture for a moment.

You have a group of GOP leaders in Washington that have made pledges all over the place. Their biggest job in Washington had nothing to do with the people who elected them but everything to do with some promises, pledges and their possibilities for re-election. Period.

In 2010, the Tea Party took them on and made deals with them. They campaigned to get them into Washington as long as they played by the Tea Party rules. Make President Obama a one-term President, get the government out of our lives, never raise taxes and we will get you re-elected.

It is pretty difficult to go discuss things in Washington and make decisions when your mind is made up for you without having heard both sides of what is actually going on but that is what happened and they willingly signed on the line to get re-elected or elected into Washington.

What was the pledge? It was the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” from Grover Norquist. Two people on the list are Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. You can see everyone by visiting the link.

The problem with this pledge is it includes and excludes too much to be anything close to reasonable. By signing the pledge, it shows an unwillingness to work together, discuss the issues of a very diverse nation or the ability and desire to compromise and/or find solutions.

It is a simple pledge.

The house and senate members basically say this by signing;

ONE – oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses, and

TWO- oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates

The governor says this by signing;

I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.

The state legislator says this by signing;

I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.

How crazy is that!

These people’s decisions would and have been affecting people and our entire nation now and for a very long time. Signing short, little summed up pledges with the words, “any”, “all”, “oppose”, “veto” and the rest of the neatly and all-restrictive wording tucked in the little Norquist pledges are unacceptable.

This isn’t new information. This has been known and even so these people have been holding things up with no viable reasoning other than they have Norquist to answer to, voters are still electing them…

As it stands right now, our leaders (I hate to use that word when I am talking about these that sign these pledges) are about to go into their “Lame Duck Session” and try to figure out how to avoid a fiscal debt crisis. How can this be accomplished when all of these who have signed pledges are basically blocked from any type of reasonable negotiations? I mean why are they in there? Why not just send in Grover Norquist? They are basically representing him, right? How do these people get re-elected?

Maybe, some voters need more convincing than others to show them their Party of choice is a complete train wreck at the moment. And, we do have more elections coming up in 2014.

This is from the same party that says the government should be out of people’s business but somehow want to be a big part of women’s lives when it comes to health care, birth control, unplanned pregnancies and abortions.

This is the same party that can tell a woman if she has been “legitimately raped” or whether her life is really in danger enough for a pregnancy to be terminated to save her life. Yes, they are suddenly ready to jump in the middle of lives there.

These are not doctors or families here. These are just elected officials who are supposed to be doing their job in Washington, not holding someone’s hand at the visit with the OBGYN or at the ER after a rape.

But, are you confused here? I’m not but I will go on.

If they are really so concerned about these unborn lives as they say, then why are they not just as concerned when they are born? Why are they not concerned when they are 2, 5, 10 or getting older? You see they oppose funding healthcare programs, early education programs, free lunch initiatives, student aid and many other things that help along life’s way. They oppose any gun legislation that would limit “the capacity of clips or magazines”. Are they for or against life? Their choices and stance on many issues do not make sense with their stance on others. If they want to protect life, why don’t they believe in helping in assisting those who require assistance and protecting the American people from gun violence? It is one thing to have a weapon to protect yourself. It is another thing to have a weapon that causes massive tragedy in seconds.

Many can say laws of these types or programs for assistance are unnecessary for everyone. How does anyone know? How does anyone know what tomorrow may bring?

A person, or unborn person, can’t decide who or where they are born. Nobody knows what life may bring their way. The fact is everyone deserves opportunity so if this “unborn person” doesn’t end up in a successful, well off family, living in a good area near good schools with access to good healthcare coverage and college, then the care needs to continue past the campaign slogan and stump speeches.

A person watching a movie in a theater, visiting a congresswoman or attending classes at college shouldn’t run the risk of being gunned down in a senseless and often preventable act of violence.

A Party can’t say one thing and live another thing. A Party can’t stand up for what they believe when all they believe in is winning votes.

That is why Mitt Romney didn’t win. It isn’t because Obama bought votes or Americans are looking through “rose-colored glasses” or anything like that. The fact is Mitt Romney was saying whatever it took to get votes from the people he was speaking to on that given day, in that particular location. Different days, different promises, different Mitt. That isn’t compromise or a change of heart. Those are lies. That much flip-flopping is straight up lying.

It was sad, really.

Mitt Romney was like a GOP experiment to see it just isn’t going to work anymore. Americans aren’t going to buy the promises and lies.

He did get a large amount of votes though. I am not convinced in the least those votes were all for Mitt Romney, not even half. Many of those votes were against Barack Obama. If that was on the ballot ( _ Against Obama), that would have been checked.

Voters need to understand they elect these people into Washington that are keeping things so out of balance. Signing outside pledges is not a way to represent the American people. That is self-gratification.

Signing pledges is a campaign slogan. Saving unborn babies and turning on them after birth is a campaign slogan. Having smear and fear campaigns are nothing but showing the Party has nothing to promote with their own Nominee or with their own Party. The time for slogans, bickering and pointing fingers as to why Romney lost is over.

Americans voted. We voted our President back and we want action in Washington.

Everyone has slogans. Ours won this time. #Obama2012 #VoiceForChoice #Obamacare

America is strongest as a nation. Stand together to keep it united. Division is never the answer.

Personally, I feel there is more to a President of the United States than just being the leader of the land-of-the-free, the Commander-in-Chief of the greatest military in the world and a person who makes decisions each day that not only affects hundreds of millions of people in our nation but has affects around the world for many generations to come.

That is just a fraction of who our President is and therefore, I like to know a person is open and honest about their beliefs, their views on humanity, women, marriage, world aide, our troops and veterans, education, healthcare, the economy and what has led them to be the person they have become.

I personally was raised with a Republican background, registered as Republican and voted as a Republican for my first few elections.

I have always listened to all sides and tried to put myself in the shoes of others before casting my ballots in any elections. I understand I am not just voting for myself but also for my Country. I have never considered myself to be judgmental or close-minded.

As I have grown older, raised a family and faced more of life’s challenges such as raising a child fighting a terminal illness, learning disabilities, fighting with insurance companies, having pre-existing conditions of my own and dealing with hers, I do see many things differently than others may see.

I have seen many denied life-saving treatments due to insurance issues in a country that’s said to have the best medical care available, but to whom?

I know I am not the only person that has changed. Our country has changed. Many people have faced changes. There are large groups of people that were in top-income brackets who suddenly found themselves relying on government assistance, not because they didn’t believe in working hard to support their family but because of a financial market that simply thought it didn’t have to answer to anybody, took risks with money it didn’t have and lost real peoples’ money, their life savings, retirements and suddenly, people who thought they had everything planned out, had nothing to show for it.

If there was a lesson in the last 5 or 6 years, it is the fact the bottom can fall out from almost anyone if everyone isn’t playing by the same set of rules!

During elections, Parties try to focus on things to get votes. Obviously, that makes sense. The voter however is the one making the final decision and therefore, as a voter, each one should know what their candidate stands for, who they stand with and what their intentions as President would be.

One of the biggest battles of this election is a very important issue, choice.

The Republicans want people to believe this is about abortion. That is not the case. A big part of this choice concerns women’s healthcare. This involves a great deal of issues. It also involves the fact Romney wants to de-fund Planned Parenthood. See the article, “Romney’s Women “Issues”” to learn more.

The fact is millions more of Americans have healthcare due to progress made during President Obama’s term. That includes women, children, men, multiple income brackets, people with pre-existing conditions, students, etc.

Mitt Romney wants to go in and repeal “Obamacare” (on his first day in office). That would undo everything in the previous paragraph. He says he would leave parts in. Mind you, Romney says things to win votes and then changes them depending on who he is speaking to BUT if you believe this part, then he said he would leave the part about pre-existing conditions. His terms are this. The person would have to have been insured and stayed insured. That would not cover someone who has a condition and possibly changes jobs, therefore changing insurance companies. This would not be including them. The new insurance company could still deny them.

In the case of women’s healthcare choices, there is no line in the sand here. It is not a decision to me of which side maybe has a better idea. This is plain and simple. When it comes to my body, my family planning, pregnancy, pap smears, cancer screenings, birth control, or any healthcare concerning any women, young adult or child, the government doesn’t need to be a part of any of those decisions. I know a country that has a part in the reproductive rights of women, CHINA. I don’t live there. I live in a free country and my vote will reflect my decision on keeping it that way.

Women For Obama

I have never thought to call my Congress Person, my Governor or my President to ask their opinion on whether it was a good time for me to have a child or let them know my concerns about my neighbor having too many kids or being unable to conceive. You know why? It’s none of their business!

You know what is their business? Helping to fund preventative medical care for those that can’t afford it, vaccines to prevent deadly outbreaks, studies to lead to cures and helping keep the land with the best healthcare moving forward. You know what has been one of the best healthcare achievements in decades? Obamacare.

Again, with all of the accomplishments that have happened regarding healthcare, the GOP wants the focus to be on abortion. Okay. So, how do they feel about abortion?

Most recently, one of the newest GOP announcements that have come up (this isn’t the first time) is about whether a woman would be able (yes, that means “get permission”) to have an abortion if she were raped and became pregnant.

ROMNEY ENDORSES RICHARD MOURDOCK (Rep. Candidate for US Senate) Mourdock: “I too certainly stand for life. I know there are some who disagree and I respect their point of view but I believe life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that the case the life of the mother. I struggled with it myself for a long time but I came to realize life is a gift from God and I think even when life begins in the horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen.”

Mourdock isn’t alone here. The Republican Party’s Platform feels the same. They are just keeping it hush hush through the election. They have tried to get Richard Mourdock to withdraw his statement much like they tried to get Todd Akin to withdraw his. However, withdrawing your statement won’t mean you change your views or your vote will change when laws are written up in the House or Senate, does it.

Paul Ryan has written up and pushed his stand on the Right of Personhood which stands on the same ground as Richard Mourdock and Todd Akin.

I am a Christian women, 43 years old, white, a registered Republican and although I would have considered myself conservative back when I was in my 30’s, I would have never made my decisions differently or based on different thoughts than I do today.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR OBAMA

I feel the Republican Party has gotten to a point where they believe their core beliefs and values are the only way people should live. Therefore, they want the laws and everyone in this Country to live that way or they should just do without and be penalized.

I don’t believe in a system where my values or beliefs should take away from another person’s freedoms. What does that say for freedom of religion, freedom of speech or having one of the most diverse nations in the world? To make that work in the United States would be living under a dictatorship.

The GOP has distorted the facts trying to get as many of their Party into office. Their own Party didn’t stand behind Romney.

Their Party has made it a point to say they back Israel, always. Yet, when asked in the debate what Romney would do (in a scenario) of receiving an emergency call with Israel under an imminent attack, Romney became upset and refused to answer the question. Has he never thought of this? This is a country that is always under the threat of an attack.

Yet, the GOP Party questions Obama’s stand with Israel?

OBAMA’S CONSISTENT STAND WITH ISRAEL

The fact is this.

What the GOP wants is a majority in the House and the Senate. That would give them the ability to write and pass legislation. With a President of their party, they would not have to worry about a Veto.

This would also open up their Party to nominate at least 2 Supreme Court Justices.

Imagine how many laws could be passed and changes could be made with all of this control in the hands of the GOP.

It won’t matter that Romney doesn’t answer question or what he does or doesn’t say. They are relying on those that just don’t want to vote for Obama or those higher income people not wanting to pay more taxes. Right now, they also are relying on those who are against abortion.

I ask you though, if a 12 year girl was raped and became pregnant, should she have to carry that child while she is still coping with the tragedy of being raped?

A child suffering through incest at home or a family members house gets pregnant, should she? What if they don’t know who the father is? She will have to face this person while carrying the baby even though she is still a baby herself who has just been traumatized, been assaulted and now is expected to go through more trauma and emotional abuse. Is that is okay?

I think the suicide rate of young adults, both young boys and girls, in our country is high enough due to bullying. If you don’t think rape is worse than bullying and isn’t something traumatic for a person to live through, can cause life-long trauma, PTSD and then making the victim have to be reminded each day while they carry the baby of their rapist inside, then maybe the GOP Party is for you. I don’t think most people feel that way though.

I want a President with values who believes in treating others as he would want to be treated, how he wants his wife and children to be treated. I want a President who can look through the eyes of others and see how they feel, talk to them and make decisions based on real people, not Party or political popularity.

Obama: Re: His faith, “In time I came to see my faith as being both a personal commitment to Christ and a commitment to my community.”

“These are not Democratic values. These are not Republican Values. They’re American Values.”

Belief: “For unto whom much is given is given, much shall be required.”

(View the above video to see more about the man behind the Presidency)

For a person to say they are a Christian, it is not just a title but more than that. I don’t see real Christian values in much of the GOP Party, its candidates or those pushing for them… I see a lot of people who just want to vote against Obama.

I appreciate people’s views, opinions and concerns. I think those are what have driven America’s progress the most. Without those voices of the past, we would not have the freedoms to have our voices heard today.

However we share our voices, whether it be through writing, TV, radio or to those around us. The fact is, we have the desire within us to be heard and in this country, we have the right.

In many countries, that is not the case. Those rights did not come to us without fight and by others giving up their freedoms and their lives. How we use those rights and our freedoms should never be taken lightly.

I have always been one to see things through the eyes of many, not just myself. I believe that one’s freedom can not be enjoyed with another person enslaved. Justice is not won if an injustice is being done and ignored. I see that and I do not take that lightly. That is why I do what I do.

Choice is a freedom. Choice is the ability to make a decision. For someone to take that away is to take a freedom away and we have fought too long to earn those rights.

In today’s politics, it seems like there are sides. People are choosing or picking who will win this election. It is much more than sides or winners and losers. When people vote without knowing what they have to gain or lose, they have already lost. And, when people vote for a candidate knowing their win will mean freedoms are lost, what does that say about America’s freedoms? How easy is it for us to give up the freedoms of others when we feel it does not agree with our beliefs?

What if that were the way America started to work? No more separation of church and state? Church telling government how to make the laws and government telling churches to pay up taxes and what they can and cannot preach. Church and state getting into conflicts over schools. Haven’t we crossed that path?

It is called progress. It has enabled us to allow people to make choices, to find the way to move forward equally, allowing freedom of religions and freedom of speech in a nation that is more diverse than any other nation in the world.

Who would want to back up progress that has already been made? Who would want to repeat history when those times of turmoil have been fought and lives have been lost so that we can be where we are today?

We have chosen to move forward and live in a nation of progress that believes our diversity is a value and with freedom, we have more opportunity. Our country has shown how valuable freedom is and in turn, it cannot truly feel free until it is shared by everyone. Humanity is one.

In response (warning: my responses go long) about abortion leaving many “women with an ache in their soul they will carry for a lifetime” and the issue about, “it has also killed millions of little girl babies”, (speaking of the UNFPA programs which includes funds to China)…

I can see how there are women who have decided to have an abortion who have regretted the decision later in life or those that have been led to have an abortion by their parents or a boyfriend because they felt it wasn’t time or it was a bad idea to have a baby at the given time. I can see this argument.

I can most definitely see how the idea of aborting an unborn fetus, baby (however any one believes) at any stage because of its gender or believed status in any culture is just not right. I see that point, very clearly. I think the laws of China need to address this overall issue and I don’t think the US should play a part in this at all.

I have my views, lots of them. However, on many issues, I don’t impose my views and I don’t feel they should rule the lives of others.

I do believe there are instances for abortions. I will always stand for the right of a women’s choice. There are not going to be women walking in and out of a clinic for an abortion with smiles on the faces proud of what they do.

It is not PRO-ABORTION. It is PRO-Choice and PRO-Life. I am for both. We do not live everyone’s life and do not know everyone’s circumstance but I do know enough to know if someone is raped, they do not deserve to have that decision made for them nor should they have to fight to have the right to make that decision while they are suffering through the rape they just went through.

I do not believe a women, or her family, should have to fight for the right of a woman who could die due to the baby she is carrying. Again, this is a choice for a woman, her family and her doctor.

This is not a parade of abortions or killing spree, this is about being able to choose what is best with the help of the mother, family support and doctor.

It is the same thing as having to make a life or death call of a child who is facing end of life and whether or not more chemo could maybe give them 6 months of breath or no chemo give them 2 months of being able to enjoy those 2 months playing. These are tough calls that people suddenly have to make but they should be up to the people involved, not the courts, not the federal or state government.

Those women who have to carry that ache in their heart because of the abortions they had, they did have the ability to make those choices. The pain afterward is something they didn’t know how it would affect them just like one can’t know how it would have affected them had they decided not to go through with the abortion. That is the thing with making a decision.

You know what it feels like to not have a choice? Ask people in countries that are ruled by dictators or use the same example at the top. China.